Projects Funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Strengthen American Farms and Rural Small Businesses
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development Bob Morgan today announced 29 new clean energy projects in Pennsylvania for a total of $3.24 million.
These projects help rural Pennsylvanians lower energy bills, expand access to clean energy and create jobs for farmers and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis. USDA also unveiled the “Rural Energy Resource Guide” to make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy, including programs made possible by President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act.
“The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA are committed to expanding access to modern clean energy systems and fueling options that strengthen the nation’s energy independence while creating good-paying jobs and saving rural Americans money,” Morgan said. “These investments will cut energy costs for family farms and other businesses, increasing their resiliency, and allowing them to invest back into their communities by creating new jobs and other opportunities.”
For example, in Pennsylvania:
- In Franklin County, AJ Pallet LLC received a $1 million REAP grant to purchase and install a 1-Megawatt (MW) Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. AJ Pallet LLC, located in Greencastle, Pa., has been operating since 2005 and specializes in manufacturing and recycling wood pallets, crates, and boxes for shipping needs. This project is expected to generate 8,459,261 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, which is enough energy to power 780 homes.
- In Lancaster County, Yippee Farms LLC received a $412,462 REAP grant to purchase and install a 572.1-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Yippee Farms, a dairy operation located in Mount Joy, Pa., has been operating since 2018. This project is expected to generate 712,722 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, which is enough energy to power 65 homes.
- In Bradford County, Arey Building Supply Inc. received a $121,923 REAP grant to purchase and install an 88-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Arey Building Supply, located in Wysox, Pa., is a locally owned and operated hardware and supply store that sells electrical, plumbing, paint/stain, lumber, building supplies, hardware, tools and craft supplies. This project is expected to save the business approximately $13,000 per year and will replace 97,213 kilowatt hours (kWh) (115 percent of the company’s energy use) per year, which is enough energy to power eight homes.
A complete list of the 29 projects in Pennsylvania announced today can be viewed here.
Since 2021, USDA Rural Development has invested $43.28 million in 365 projects through the Rural Energy for America Program. In 2024 alone, $18.40 million was invested in 118 projects.
The projects advance President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. They will create jobs and spur economic growth in rural communities through clean energy projects that lower energy costs for agriculture producers and rural small businesses and families.
You can read the national announcement that was also made today here.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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